Marking apparatus



June 9, 1959 M. HIRSCHEY ET AL 2,88 7 MARKING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 w IQA'B/DREWJ 141E554 TR June 9, 1959 M. HIRSCHEYET AL 2,889,767

MARKING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 22, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 M ZYVENTORS.

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F :77 My June 9, 1959 M. HIRSCHEY ETAL 2,889,767

MARKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 22, 1955 Waco ND EW mm198)? United States Patent 2,889,767 MARKING APPARATUS Malcolm Hirschey,Woodbridge, and Andrew J. Alessi, Jr., Colonia, N.J., assignors toAdolph Gottscho, Inc., Hillside, N.J., a corporation of New YorkApplication December 22, 1955, Serial No. 554,834 13 Claims. (Cl. 10135)The present invention relates generally to marking apparatus, and moreparticularly is directed to apparatus for applying inked markings orimpressions to successive containers, cartons, boxes or other individualarticles or to continuous strip, web or sheet materials conveyed pastthe marking apparatus.

Heretofore, various types of marking apparatus have been developed forthe above purpose, but each of these types has certain characteristicsthat limit the use thereof and are disadvantageous when attempts aremade to apply the apparatus to other uses or applications. For example,in an existing apparatus having a die wheel carrying the die or markingelements, a metering roll and an ink supplying roll connected to eachother for simultaneous, positively driven rotation, so that the inksupplying roll applies ink to the surface of the metering roll, in somecases from an ink fountain or other source, and the metering rolltransfers the ink to the face of the die or marking element, theemployment of such an apparatus in connection with an intermittentlymoving conveyor results in the periodic halting of the system of rollssupplying ink to the die or marking element, at which time heavy linesof ink build up on the halted rolls and produce uneven inking of the diewhen operation is resumed. Further, with such apparatus, the repeat ofthe inked marking or impression, for example, when applied to acontinuous web, strip or sheet, is determined by the circumference ofthe die wheel, and any changes in the distance between the successivemarkings or impressions require replacement of the die wheel. Whenapparatus of the kind mentioned above is employed for the marking ofcontainers, boxes, cartons or other articles pushed by lugs or the likeextending from a chain conveyor, the circumference of the die wheel hasto be some wholemultiple of the distance between the successive conveyedarticles. It is also to be noted that, if the conveyed articles areintermittently advanced, while the die wheel and its inking roll systemare independently and continuously rotated to achieve uniformapplication of ink to the die or marking element, the synchronization ofthe speed of the article with the surface speed of the die wheel, at theinstant when the marking or impression is being applied, is diflicult toachieve and thus blurred markings or impressions frequently occur.

In another type of existing apparatus, the die wheel and its inkingsystem are driven by frictional contact of bearer rims on the die Wheelwith the individual articles to be marked as such articles are conveyedpast the apparatus. However, such frictional drive will result in somerelative movement between the die or marking element and the articlebeing marked when the intermittent motion of the article involves largeaccelerations or decelerations, and further fails to provide precisionpositioning of the imprint on the article.

In still another existing apparatus, a separate conveyor is included inthe apparatus to ensure the proper timing of the movement of thesuccessive articles in relation to the rotation of the die wheel. Suchapparatus requires i metering rolls and the die 2,889,767 Patented June9, 1959 an interruption in the production conveyor to accommodate themarking apparatus and, in many places where installations are to bemade, there is no room in the production line for the additionalconveyor. Further, since the die wheel and its inking roll system rotatecontinuously, a gap or halt in the line of articles fed to the markingapparatus conveyor 'will produce an objectionable build-up of ink on thedie or marking element. Further, the inclusion of a separate conveyor inthe marking apparatus results in a relatively high cost for suchequipment, and the whole apparatus must be retimed and its conveyorrespaced when the dimensions of the articles to be marked, in thedirection of their movement through the apparatus, are changed.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide markingapparatus having extreme flexibility with respect to variations in thedimensions of, or spacing between, the articles to be marked, or to thespacing between the repeated markings applied to a continuous strip, webor sheet, and capable, under all circumstances, of applying clear inkedmarkings or impressions having the quality of printing and preciselylocated with respect to the surface being marked.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide amarking apparatus capable of employing fast drying, pigmented inks, evenwhen the marking operation is effected intermittently.

Another object is to provide marking apparatus that can be attached toan existing machine or conveyor to mark the products of the machine orarticles advanced by the conveyor without requiring any substantialalteration of the associated machine or conveyor.

Further, an object of the invention is to provide 'a marking apparatusthat permits the spacing between successive markings to be madeindependent of the circumference of the die wheel so that such spacingcan be adjusted or varied without replacement of the die wheel, and sothat the gaps between the successive conveyed articles can be reduced toa minimum, in marking independent conveyed articles, thereby to permiteflicient utilization of the conveyor. j

A marking apparatus embodying the present invention is featured by thecontinuous rotation of the inking roll system so that pigmented inks maybe used and the pigments held in suspension, even when the markingoperation is intermittent. The die or marking element on the die wheelis adapted to receive ink from the meter ing roll which, in turn,receives ink from the ink supplying roll dipping into an ink fountain orreservoir. A gear transmission is provided for driving the ink supplyingand wheel, and an electro-magnetically operated friction clutch isinterposed between the gear transmission and the die wheel and isengaged only when an article or the like, to be marked, is advanced pastthe marking apparatus. An electro-magnetically operated lock or latch isalso associated with the die wheel and operated simultaneously with theclutch so that, normally, the die Wheel is held against rotation in aposition where the die or marking element thereon is spaced from boththe continuously rotated metering roll and the path of the articles orthe like to be the objectionable build-up of ink on the die or markingelement during the periods between marking operations. As an article orthe like is conveyed toward the marking apparatus, both the clutch andlatch are electro-magnetically operated so that the die wheel is thenconnected to the driving gear transmission and freed for rotation. Thus,the die wheel is accelerated to a speed substantially equal to that ofthe conveyed article and marks the latter. Preferably, in accordancewith the present invention', a pawl and ratchet arrangement is providedbetween marked thereby preventing tile friction clutch and the die wheelso that, if the speed of the article being marked is greater than thatof the die wheel at the instant of marking, the die Wheel can be furtheraccelerated by contact with the article to avoid any relative motionbetween the die or marking element and the article at the instant ofmarking of the latter and, thereby, to prevent blurring of the inkedmarking or impression. Similarly, if the speed imparted to the die wheelthrough the gear transmission is greater than the speed of the articleat the instant of marking, the friction clutch can slip to permit thecontact of the die or marking element with the article to retard therotation of the die wheel. Upon completion of the marking operation, theclutch is disengaged and the latch again becomes operative to stop therotation of the die wheel in a predetermined position to ensure properregistration of the inked marking or impression applied during the nextmarking operation. The electromagnetieally operated clutch and latch maybe controlled either by the articles to be marked, for example, bycontact of the successive articles with an actuator of a controllingmicro-switch, or by the associated machine or conveyor, for example,through actuation of the controlling micro-switch by a cam or the likeprovided on a timing shaft of the associated machine or conveyor.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention,will be apparent in the following detailed description of anillustrative embodiment thereof which is to be read in connection withthe accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of marking apparatus embodying thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial front elevational view, partly in section, and takenalong the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, detail view of a portion of the structureillustrated in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the apparatus in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partly broken away and insection, showing the side of the apparatus opposed to that shown in Fig.1;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 66 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional View taken along the line 7--7 of Fig.l;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig.2;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 99 of Fig.2; and

Fig. 10 is a schematic representation, in side. elevation, of a geartransmission included in the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to Figs. 1, 2, 4 and5 thereof, a marking apparatus embodying the present invention is thereillustrated and generally identified by the reference numeral 10.Marking apparatus 10 includes a mounting plate 12 adapted to be securedto a supporting structure (not shown) on a conveyor handling cartons,boxes, containers or other articles to be marked or at the outlet of awrapping or package handling machine or a machine producing a continuousweb or strip of sheet material so that the apparatus 10 is positioned toapply inked impressions or markings either to successive individualarticles, or repeated markings or impressions to a continuous strip orweb of sheet material. Support arms 14 and 16 extend forwardly, that is,in the direction of movement of the articles or sheet material to bemarked, from the opposite ends of the mounting plate 12 and, at theirforward or free ends, carry bearings 18 (Fig. 6) rotatably supporting adrive shaft 20.

The frame of the marking apparatus includes a side plate 22 disposedalongside the support arm 16 and rockably mounted on the related bearing18, a top plate 24 extending laterally from the top edge of the sideplate 22, and a hanger 26 depending from the edge portion of the topplate 24 remote from the side plate and rockably mounted upon thebearing 18 carried by the support arm 14. In order to angularly positionthe marking apparatus frame with respect to the support arms 14 and 16,the support arm 16 is provided with a downward extension 16a which isbifurcated or forked at its lower end to define legs 28 (Fig. 5) betweenwhich a pin 30, projecting from the side plate 22, loosely extends. Abolt 32 is threaded through one of the legs 28 and bears against the pin30 to act as a stop in limiting the angular movement of the apparatusframe relative to the support arms in the clockwise direction, as viewedin Fig. 5. A helical tension spring 34 extends between anchoring pins 37and 39 on the support arm 16 and the side plate 22, respectively, tourge the apparatus frame in the clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig.5, that is, to urge the frame to rock about the shaft 21) in thedirection for contacting the pin 30 with the stop bolt 32. The frame ofthe marking apparatus is completed by a backplate 36 depending from theback edge of the top plate 24 and secured, along one side edge, to theback edge of the side plate 22.

The marking apparatus 10 further includes a die wheel assembly,generally identified by the reference numeral 38, an ink fountainassembly, generally identified by the reference numeral 40, and ametering roll assembly, generally identified by the reference numeral42, for receiving ink from the fountain assembly 40 and transferringsuch ink to a die or marking element carried by the die wheel assembly38.

The ink fountain assembly 40, as seen in Figs, 1 and 6, includes anupwardly open fountain or reservoir 44 adapted to contain a supply ofink, and having ears 46 extending upwardly from its side walls adjacentthe back end of the reservoir for pivotal mounting upon a pin 48 and aco-axial bolt 50 carried by lugs 52 and 54, respectively, extendingforwardly from the back plate 36. Thus, the reservoir 44 is rockableabout the common axes of the pin 48 and bolt 50. Such rocking of thereservoir is limited by a stop bolt 56 having a knurled head whichthreadably extends through a lug on the lower portion of the back plate36.

V The ink fountain assembly 40 further includes a shaft 58 journaled inbearings carried by the opposite side walls of the reservoir 44 andhaving an ink supplying roll 60 fixed thereon, for example, by setscrews, so that, as the shaft 58 is rotated, the ink supplying roll 60will dip into a supply of ink contained in the reservoir and pick upsuch ink for transfer to a metering roll 62 included in.

the metering roll assembly 42.

As seen in Fig. 7, the metering roll assembly further includes a shaft64 extending from one side of the side plate 22 and fixed with respectto the latter. The metering roll 62 is joined to a spacing sleeve 66and, with the latter, is rotatable on bearings 68 carried by the shaft64. It is apparent that rocking of the reservoir 44 of the ink fountainassembly, by adjustment of the stop bolt 56, will be effective to varythe radial distance between the shafts 58 and 64, thereby causingadjustment of the contact pressure between the ink supplying roll 60 andthe metering roll 62.

Rotation of the ink supplying roll and the metering roll is effected byagear transmission extending from the drive shaft 20 to the respectiveshafts 58 and 64 and including a gear 70 fixed on the drive shaft 20,and a gear 72 rotatable on a bearing 68 of the metering roll assemblyand meshing with the gear 70. The gear 72 is free to rotateindependently of the metering roll 62 and meshes with a gear 74 which iskeyed to the shaft 58 of the ink supplying roll. A second gear 76 isalso keyed to the shaft 58 and meshes with a gear 7 8 which is securedto the spacing sleeve 66 to drive the latter and the metering roll 62.The numbers of teeth on the several gears are selected so that the inksupplying roll 60 and the metering roll 62 will be rotated in-oppositedirections at the same surface speed, preferably, at the same angularspeed as;

the drive shaft 20. For example, gear 70 may have 40' teeth, gear 72 mayhave 74 teeth, gear 74 may have 40 teeth, gear 76 may have 57 teeth, andgear 78 may also have 57 teeth.

Referring in detail to Fig. 2 of the drawing, it will be seen that thedie wheel assembly 38 of the illustrated embodiment of the inventionincludes a shaft 80 extending from one side of the side plate 22 andfixed with respect to the latter. An eccentric sleeve82, that is, asleeve having cylindrical inner and outer surfaces with the centers ofsuch surfaces being eccentrically located, relative to each other, isrotatably mounted upona reduced diameter portion 80a of the shaft 80which extends from a location intermediate the'ends of the latter to thefree end of the shaft 80. Rotatably mounted upon the outer surface ofthe sleeve 82 is a hollow cylindrical die. wheel arbor 84 havingexternal threads upon at least its opposite end portions. A die or typeholding sleeve 86 is secured on the arbor 84 between clamping nuts 89threaded upon the latter. As shown in Fig. 2, the die or marking elementor elements 88 may be formed of rubber type or logotype secured or heldupon the sleeve 86 by an arrangement of the kind disclosed in UnitedStates Letters Patent No. 2,643,609, issued to Ira Gottscho on June 30,1953, for Holder for Rubber Type, or alternatively, the die or markingelement may be merely adhesively secured to the sleeve 86 in theconventional manner.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that each die or marking element 88is freely rotatable with its holding sleeve 86 and the die wheel arbor84 upon the outer cylindrical surface of the eccentric sleeve 82, andthat the radial distance between the axis of rotation of the die ormarking element and the axis of rotation of the metering roll 62 can beadjusted, for varying the contact pressure between the die or markingelement and the surface of the metering roll, merely by angularlyadjusting the eccentric sleeve 82 with respect to the fixed shaft 80.The end of the sleeve 82 closest to the side plate 22 bears against aretaining washer 90 to prevent axial displacement of the eccentricsleeve in the direction toward the side plate. At the end of theeccentric sleeve 82 remote from the side plate 22, the sleeve 82 isprovided with radial slots 92 receiving axially extending tongues 94 ona tubular eccentric adjusting member 96 having a knurled head on the endthereof extending out of the cylindrical arbor 84. Thus, the head of themember 96 may be manually rotated to effect corresponding rotationaladjustment of the eccentric sleeve 82. In order to hold the eccentricsleeve in its angularly adjusted position, a locking bolt 98 extendsaxially through the tubular adjusting member 96 and is threaded into asuitably tapped blind bore in the end of the fixed shaft 80. The lockingbolt 98 has a knurled head adapted to bear against the head of themember 96 so that, when the bolt 98 is screwed into the shaft 80, theeccentric adjusting member 96 is clamped against rotation between thehead of the bolt 98 and the adjacent end of the shaft 80.

In accordance with the present invention, the die wheel arbor 84, andhence the die or marking element, is rotated only during the actualmarking operation, that is, when an article, sheet material or the liketo be marked is presented adjacent the marking apparatus for theapplication thereto of an inked impression or marking by the latter. Inorder to effect such rotation of the arbor 84, the marking apparatus 10further includes a gear 100 (Figs. 2 and 3) which is rotatably mountedupon the fixed shaft 80 and meshes with the gear 72. Preferably, thegear 100 has the same number of teeth as the gear 70 on the drive shaft20 and the gear 74 on the shaft 58 of the ink supplying roller, whichalso meshes with the gear 72, so that, when the rotation ofthe gear 100is transmitted to the die wheel arbor, the latter willbe rotated in thesame direction as the ink supplying roll a esa 4 i6 V. and atthe sameangular speed as the metering and supplying rolls., An axially arrangedseries of friction clutch discs 102 are disposed at the side of the gearfacing away from the side plate 22 and alternate discs of the series areconstrained to rotate with the gear 100 by means of pins 104 whichextend axially from the gear and are received in suitable peripheralnotches or recesses of those clutch discs. A sleeve 106 is rotatable onthe shaft 80 independently of the friction discs 102 and carries a yokering 108 which is axially movable relative to the sleeve 106, but heldagainst rotation rela tive to the latter, for example, by a key 110(Fig. 3). The yoke ring 108, at the side thereof facing toward theclutch disc 102, is provided with an annular, axially projecting rib 112which is engageable with the adjacent end of the series of clutch discswhen the yoke ring is displaced axially in the direction toward thelatter thereby to compact or compress the discs in the axial directionand communicate or transmit the rotation of the gear 100 to the sleeve106. A ratchet wheel 114 is fixed upon the end of the sleeve 106 remotefrom the clutch discs for rotation with the sleeve 106. A radiallydirected flange 116 is secured to the end of the arbor 84 adjacent theretaining washer 90 and, at its periphery, supports an axial stud 118upon which a pawl 120 is rockably mounted (Fig. 9) for engagement withthe toothed periphery of the ratchet wheel 114. A torsion spring 122 isinterposed between the flange 116 and the pawl 120 to yieldably urge thelatter in the direction eifecting its engagement with the ratchet wheel.The pawl 120 and the teeth of the ratchet wheel 114 are arranged so thatrotation of the sleeve 106 will be transmitted thereby to the arbor 84.However, if the arbor 84 is rotated at an angular speed greater thanthat of the gear 100, the ratchet wheel 114 and pawl 120 will disengageor move relative to each other in order to permit such relatively fastrotation of the arbor.

It will be seen that the yoke ring 108 and the disc 102 form parts of afriction clutch for transmitting the rotation of gear 100 to the ratchetwheel 114, and that such clutch can be engaged and disengaged byeffecting axial movement of the yoke ring 108 along the sleeve 106. Inorder to effect such axial movement of the yoke ring 108, the markingapparatus 10 includes a yoke member 124 (Figs. 2 and 5) which, at itsupper end, is pivotally mounted on a bolt 126 carried by a hanger 128'depending from a support plate 130 mounted upon the top plate 24. Theyoke member 124, at its lower end, is provided with a semi-circularextension 132 which, at its the radial flanges of the yoke ring 108.Accordingly,- the rollers 134, without resisting rotation of the yokering 108, will effect axial displacement of the latter in response torocking of the yoke member 124. When the yoke member 124 hangs freelyfrom the bolt 126 forming its pivot, as in Fig. 2, the yoke ring 108 ispositioned axially with its rib 112 out of contact with the end clutchdisc. However, when the yoke member 124 is rocked in the clockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 2, the rib 112 of yoke ring 108 actsaxially against the clutch discs 102 thereby compressing or compactingthe latter so that the clutch will be engaged and transmit rotation fromthe gear 100 to the yoke ring 108, and hence to the sleeve 106 andratchet Wheel 114.

Rocking of the yoke member 124 in the clockwise direction, that is, inthe direction for effecting engagement of the clutch, is effected by acam member 136 carried by a cam holder 138 and acting against a roller140 rotatably supported by a bracket 142 on the yoke mem- The cam holder138 is vertically slidable, that is, in the direction normal to thesupport plate 130, in suitably arranged guides 146 carried by a bracket148 depending from the plate 130. The cam member 136 ispivotallymounted, adjacent its upper, end, on the. cam holder 138 and isurged in the direction toward the cam follower roller 140 by a spring150 (shown in broken images 12) interposed betweenthe holder 1 38 andthc'rh member; The edge or face of the cam member 18'6"efigaged bythefollower roller 140 is provided with aieces's 152', which'receives theroller 14? when the holder138 is in its lower position, as shown in Fig.2, an'iiiclined plane 154 extending downwardly from the reces's'I'o'Tandupon which the roller 148 rides during upward movement of the cam holderso that the yoke member 1241s then'rocked in the direction for effectingengagement of the "above described clutcha Upward movements; the camholder 136 is limited by a bolt 156 extending a'djustably' downward froma bracket 158 upon the plate 130' 'through aii opening 160 in thelatter, so th'at the'head of the bolt 156 is 'engageable by a portionofthe catr'f'holder'138- at the upward limit of the movementqfthelatter. I

jrneup erend of the cam holder 138 also extends throu'gh"the opening 160and is'subjected, above the plate"1;3 0, to the'd'ownward force of areturn leaf spring 162 (Figsf 2 and' 4) supported by a bracket 164 uponthe top' surface of the plate 130 (Fig/4). Thus, the camholder 1381snormally urged downwardly, by the spring 162, to a position wherein the'clutch between gear '19s =and'ratchet"wh'eel '114 is disengaged, and, inaccordance with the present invention, the upward movement otthe camholder, -tor' engaging thatclutch, is effectedbyelectro-magneticallyoperated means.

In the marking apparatuslfi, such electric-magnetically operated meansincludes a solenoid 166 having its armature 168 connected, as 'by apivoted link 170, to one end of a double armed lever 172 whichispivotally supported, intermediate its-ends,upon a pivot pin 174 carriedby a standard 176extending upwardly from the plate 130, and which,-atits'op'posite end, is connected to one end of a helical tension spring178 having its other end connected to an' eye bolt 180 threadedadjustably into the upper end of the cam holder 138. v

Y1 When the solenoid 166 is energized, the armature 168 thereof -'isin'stantaneously' retracted, or moved 'downwa'rdly, to rock the lever172 in the clockwise direction, asviewed in Fig. 2,thereby increasingthe tension' in the spring 17 8, and such increased tension in thespring then isku'flicient' to overcome the weight of the cam holderandthe force exerted on the latter'by the'return springl62:for'effecting upward movement of'the cam holder. The employment ofthe'spring 178 permits instantaneous action of the solenoid and avoidsthe overloading and heating'ofthe solenoid that would result if the loadof the cam holder and the force-ofthe return spring 162were'directly'transmitt'edto the armature of the solenoid.-The'==movement of'the' cam holder 138 by the spring 162in"onedirection, and by the solenoid 166, in the opposite direction, inaddition to eflecting the disengagement-and engagement, respectively, ofthe clutch between the-gear 100 and the ratchet wheel 114, is also'eflective to respectively engage and release a latch mechanism (Fig.ill-provided in the marking apparatus, for ensuring the properpositioning of the'die or marking element on thearbor 84 atthecommencement of each marking operation; Such latch mechanism includesa roller 182 rotatably mounted in a forked lower end 184 of the camholder-138 and riding upon the periphery of the radial flange 116 of thearbor 84. The flange 116 is provided with one or more radiallyopening-notches 186 in the periphery thereof, the number of such notchesdepending upon the number of dies or marking elements provided upon thearbor 84. The flange 116 and its notch or notches186 are'dimensioned sothat, when the roller 182 ridesupon the outerperiphery of the flange,the

cam holder l38 is thereby maintained in its elevated positioncorresponding to the engaged condition of the clutch and,when the roller182 is receivedin a notch 186, 'assuming'that the solenoid 166 is thendeenergized, the return'spring" 62 is; free to urgethe camholde'r 138 vsa t-J: rm: {E *1; i1 3 i downwardly to a position where the clutch isdisengaged, while the engagement of the when 182 in the notch-186angularly positions the ilange-116 and hence the arbor 84 and themarking element or elements 88 on the latter. In the embodiment of' theinvention illustrated in the drawings,-three marking elements 88 areshown provided on the, arbor 84 of the die wheel. assembly 38 (Fig. l.)and, accordingly, the flange 116 is provided with .three notches orrecesses 186 in the periphery thereof. In any case, the number ofnotches 186 in the periphery of the flange 116 will correspond to thenumber of marking elements and such notches are circumferentiallylocated so that, whenever the roller 182 is received in a notch 186, tohalt the rotation of the die wheel, the marking element or elements 88carried by the die wheel will be out of contact or spaced from thesurface of the metering roll 62 as well as from the path of travel ofthe successive articles-or sheet material to be marked, as representedby the arrow 188 on Fig. 1.

The solenoid 166 is controlled by an electrical circuit,

shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, that includes a source of electricalenergy 190, a microswitch 192, a conductor 194 extending'from oneterminal of the micro-switch to one side of the source 190, a conductor196 extending from the other terminal of the micro-switch to oneterminal of the solenoid 166, and a conductor 198 extending from theother terminal of the solenoid to the other side of the electricalsource so that the micro-switch is connected in series with the solenoidand the latter is energized only when the micro-switch 192 is in itsclosed condition. The micro-switch 192 is of the kind that 'is normallyopen and may be associated with an actuating member 200 that is rockedtoward the housing of the swit'chto close the contacts of the latterwhenever the marking operation of the apparatus 10 is to be commenced.Themicro-switch -192 may be supported adjacent the path of travel of thesuccessive-conveyed articles to be marked, for example, the switch 192may be mounted upon a bracket 202 having a slot 204 receivingmo'u'ritingbolts that secure the switch to the bracket and'p'ermit adjustment ofthe switch along the path of travel, thereby varying the location of aconveyed article relative to the marking apparatusat the instant whenthe article first engages the actuator 200 for the purpose of closingthe micro-switch and effecting energization of the solenoid 166. t. iAlthough the control of the solenoid 166, in theillustratedembo'diment'ot the invention, is made dependent upon theengagement of the actuating member 200 by the individual articles to bemarked, it is to be noted that control of the'operation of the markingapparatus embodying this invention'is not limited to such anarrangement, since the switch actuating member 209 may be intermittentlyengaged by a cam or the like provided on a timing shaftlnot shown)incorporated in a packaging or other machine with which the markingapparatus may be associated thereby to synchronize the operation of themarking apparatus with the output of the associated packagingor'other'machine. In any case, it will beapparent that, each time anarticle or the like to be marked approaches the location of the diewheel assembly 38, or, in the eased the marking of sheet material, eachtimeamarking'operation is to be commenced, energizetionof "thesolenoid166 will cause release of the latch mechanism and simultaneousengagement of the clutch so that, the die wheel, having been freed ofthe rotational restraint normally'imposed' thereon by the latchmechanism, will be rotated in response to the continuous rotation of thegear 188. -Further, it is obvious that the positioning of'the inkedmarking or impression applied tothe article maybe 'varied'by. adjustingthe position of the sw'itch l92 along the path of travel of the conveyedarticles, or by otherwise adjusting the timing of the closing of themicro-switchin'relation to the traveLof-the artic1e'td;b'emarkedL- i Inorder to eflfect the continuous rotation ofthe-ink supplying roll 60,the metering roll 62 and the gear 100 of the arrangement for driving thedie wheel assembly, the drive shaft 20 is provided with a sprocket 206secured on an end thereof and engaged by an endless chain 208 (Fig. 6)which also runs around a sprocket 210 on the output shaft 212 of aconventional variable speed changing device 214. The chain 208 isfurther engaged by an idler sprocket 216 which is adjustably mounted onthe plate 130 for maintaining the required tension in the chain 268. Thespeed changing device 214 is mounted upon the plate 130 and has itsinput shaft 218 connected, as by a flexible coupling 220, to the shaft222 of an electric motor 224 also mounted upon the support plate 130.Although, in the preferred illustrated embodiment of the invention, themarking apparatus 10 is driven by a motor 224 which is independent ofthe associated conveyor or machine handling the'articles or the like tobe marked, it is to be noted that, if desired, the motor 224 may beeliminated and the shaft 20 driven from the associated conveyor ormachine.

The marking apparatus 10 described above, operates as followsi Thevariable speed changing device 214 is adjusted to provide a speed at thesurface of the die or marking element 88 which is substantially equal tothe surface speed of the article or sheet material to' be marked. Themotor 224, being continuously energized, effects continuous rotation ofthe ink supplying roll 60 and metering roll 62, so that, if pigmentedinks are employed for the marking operation, the continuous rotation ofthe ink supplying and metering roll will maintain the pigments insuspension. Further, the continuous rotation of the ink supply andmetering mu will prevent the buildup of thick lines of ink at thecontacting surfaces of such rolls, as would be the case if the inksupplying and metering rolls were only intermittently rotated. Althoughthe gear 100 -is also continuously rotated, the arbor 84 of the diewheel assembly 38 and the die or marking elements 88 on the arbor arenormally at rest, with the die or marking elements, as explained above,being then spaced from both the surface of the metering roll 62 and thepath of travel of the surface to be marked of the successive articles orsheet material. Thus, during the periods between successivemarkingoperations, there'is no possibility .of a continuing transfer of inkfrom the metering roll 62 to the surfaces of the die-or markingelements, and the objectionable build-up of excessive ink on'the latteris avoided. 7 When an article or the like to be marked approaches themarking station adjacent the die wheel assembly 38,- the micro-switch192 is closed to energize the solenoid 16.6i.which, as explained above,causes release of the latch mechanism normally restraining rotation ofthe die wheel mechanism and engagement of the clutch so that therotation of gear 100 is then transmitted to the'ratchet wheel 114. Byreason of the cooperation between "the ratchet wheel 114 and the pawl120 on the'flange 116,- the rotation of the ratchet wheelis transmittedto the. die supporting arbor 84. During the initial part .of therotation of the arbor 84, the metering roll 62 transfers ink to'thesurface of the die or' marking element moved into rolling contacttherewith and, as the article or the like to be marked passes below-thedie wheel assembly 38, the inked-die or marking element applies aninked'marking or impression to the surface of the article. If the actuallinear speed of the article, at the instant of mark.- ing, is exactlyequal'to the surface speed of the die or marking element, as' producedby rotation of the gear 100, the clutch, made up of the discs 'I02'andthe yoke ring 108, and the co perating ratchet Wheel 11 4, and pawl 1245act as a rigid transmission between the gear 100 and the arbor 84 of thedie wheel assembly. 'However, if at the instant of marking, the articleis advancing at a linear speed greater than the surfacespeed of the dieor marking element resulting from transmission of the rotation of gear100, the ratchet wheel 114 and the pawl permit the die or markingelement to be speeded up by its frictional contact with the articlebeing marked thereby to avoid any relative motion between the articleand die or marking element at the instant of marking and the blurring ofthe inked marking or impression that would thereby result. If, on theother hand, at the instant of marking, the surface speed of the articleto be marked is less than the surface speed of the marking elementresulting from the rotation of gear 100, the clutch discs 102 arecapable of slipping relative to each other to permit slowing down of therotational speed of the die or marking element in response to frictionalcontact of the latter with the article being marked. In order toincrease the-action of the frictional contact of the die wheel with thearticle being marked in exactly adjusting the surface speed of the dieor marking element to the surface speed of the article, the die wheelassembly 38 may be provided with bearer rims (not shown) ro tatable withthe arbor 84 and disposed at the opposite sides of the die or markingelement, such bearer rims being sufficiently spaced apart, in the axialdirection, to avoid the transfer of ink thereto by the metering roll 62.

It is apparent that, after the micro-switch 192 has been momentarilyclosed in order to initiate the rotation of arbor 84 and its flange 116,the roller 182 of the latch mechanism will ride upon the outer peripheryof the flange 116 and thereby maintain the cam holder 138 inits raisedposition for continuing the engagement of the clutch until the arbor 84has been rotated to a position wherein the roller 1182 again registerswith, and can be received in, one of the peripheral notches 1 86.Accordingly, it is apparent that the solenoid does not have to beenergized throughout the marking period, and such energization isrequired only for the period of time necessary to effect rotation of theflange 116 away from the position where a notch 186 thereof isregistered with the latch roller 182.

The above described marking apparatus has a further important advantagein that it permits a spacing between the successive markings appliedeither to individual articles or to a continuous web or strip of sheetmaterial that is independent of the circumference of the die wheel. Itis apparent that a spacing between successive markings greater than thecircumference of the die wheel, where only a single die or markingelement is carried by the latter, or greater than the circumferentialdistance between the dies or marking elements, where several markingelements are carried by the die wheel, as in the illustrated embodiment,can be obtained merely by delaying the periodic energization of thesolenoid 166. However, it is also possible, by adjustment of'thevariable speed changing device 214 to provide" a surface speed of thedie or-marking element substantially greater than the speed of travel ofthe successive articles or sheet material past the apparatus to-achievea spacing between the successive markings that is smaller than thecircumference of the die wheel or the circumferential spacing betweenthe several marking elements on the die wheel.

the die wheel by the roller 182 and simultaneous engagement of thefriction clutch, the die wheel is rotated at a relatively great speeduntil the die or marking element contacts the relatively slow movingsurface to be marked, whereupon, the friction clutch slips to permittravel of the die or marking element at the speed of the surface to bemarked during the actual marking of the latter. Immediately aftercompletion of the marking, the marking element moves out of contact withthe surface of the marked article or sheet material and the die wheel isaccelerated up to the high speed set by the speed changing deviceforrapid return to a position, determined by engagement of the roller182 in a notch 186, where the die wheel is 'setfor commencement of thenext marking operation. Thus, the die wheel will move from one restposition :to the-next rest position at a greater average speed than thespeed at'which thearticle or sheet material to be marked is conveyedtherepast. From the foregoing, it will be seen that the spacing betweensuccessive markings has been made substantially independent of the sizeof the die wheel thereby providing an apparatus of great operationalflexibility.

Further, it will be apparent that the described apparatus, by reason ofits inclusion of a friction clutch and a ratchet and pawl arrangement inthe drive for the die wheel, is capable of synchronizing the surfacespeed of the marking element with that of the conveyed article, at theinstant of marking, without requiring any direct synchronizingconnection with the associated conveyor or packaging or other machine,thereby greatly facilitating the installation of the marking apparatusand widely expanding the situations in which it can be used.

Although the illustrative embodiment of the invention described indetail herein is intended for the marking of horizontal top surfaces ofarticles or sheet material conveyed past the apparatus, it is to beunderstood that alterations in the disclosed system for supplying inktothe die or marking element, which system, alone, forms no part of thepresent invention, will adapt the apparatus for the marking of eitherthe bottom surface or the vertical side surfaces of the conveyedarticles.

Although a particular embodiment of the invention has been described indetail herein, it should be further understood that the presentinvention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that variouschanges and modifications can be effected in the latter withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in theapended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for applying inked markings to a surface of an articleconveyed along a path extending past the apparatus and comprising a diewheel having at least one marking element on a portion of the peripherythereof for rolling and marking contact with the surface to be marked ofthe conveyed article, a metering roll positioned for rolling contactwith said marking element as said die wheel and metering roll arerotated, means for supplying ink to the surface of said metering roll sothat the latter, during rolling contact with the marking element,transfers ink to the surface of the element, drive means for rotatingsaid die wheel, friction clutch means including a driving part connectedto said drive means and a driven part disengageable and frictionallyengageable with said driving part, means for engaging and disengagingsaid driving and driven parts of the friction clutch means, and pawl andratchet means interposed between said die wheel and said driven part sothat said die wheel is rotated from said drive means only when saiddriving and driven parts are engaged and, in the event that the speed ofthe surface to be marked of the conveyed article is greater than thesurface speed of said marking element caused by said drive means, saidpawl and ratchet means permit said marking element to be carried alongby contact with the surface to be marked at the speed of the latter and,in the event that the speed of the surface to be marked is less than thesurface speed of said marking element caused by said drive means, saiddriving and driven parts of the friction clutch means can slip relativeto each other to permit reduction of the surface speed of the markingelement by contact of the latter with the surface to be marked.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1; wherein said drive means includes a motor,variable speed changing means driven by said motor, and transmissionmeans between the output of said variable speed changing means and saiddriving part of the friction clutch means so that said variable speedchanging means permits adjustment of the surface speed of the markingelement caused by said drive means to substantiallythe speed. of thesurface to be marked; 1

3. Apparatus for applying inked markings to a surface of an articleconveyed along a path extending past the apparatus and comprising a diewheel having at least one marking element on a portion of the peripherythereof for rolling and marking contact with the surface to be marked ofthe conveyed article, a metering roll positioned for rolling contactwith said marking element as said die wheel and metering roll arerotated, means for supplying ink to the surface of said metering roll sothat the latter, during rolling contact with the marking element,transfers ink to the surface of the element, drive means for rotatingsaid die wheel, friction clutch means including a driving part connectedto said drive means and a driven part disengageable and frictionallyengageable with said driving part, meansfor engaging and disengagingsaid driving and driven parts of the friction clutch means, pawl andratchet means interposed between said die wheel and said driven part sothat said die wheel is rotated from said drive means only when saiddriving and driven parts are engaged and, in the event that the speed ofthe surface to be marked of the conveyed article is greater than thesurface speed of said marking element caused by said drive means, saidpawl and ratchet means permit said marking element to be carried alongby contact with the surface to be marked at the speed of the latter and,in the event that the speed of the surface to be marked is less than thesurface speed of said marking element caused by said drive means, saiddriving and driven parts of the friction clutch means can slip relativeto each other to permit reduction of the surface speed of the markingelement by contact of the latter with the surface to be marked, andpositioning means operated with said clutch means to hold said die wheelagainst rotation in a position where said marking element is spaced bothfrom the surface of said metering roll and the path of the surface to bemarked of the conveyed article when said driving and driven parts aredisengaged, and to free said die wheel for rotation when said drivingand driven parts are engaged. t

4. Apparatus for applying inked markings to a surface of an articleconveyed along a path extending past the apparatus and comprising a diewheel having at least one marking element on a portion of the peripherythereof for rolling and marking contact with the surface to be marked ofthe conveyed article, a metering roll positioned for rolling contactwith said marking elementas said die wheel and metering roll arerotated, an ink supplying roll in rolling contact with said meteringroll for applying ink to the surface of the latter, continuouslyoperable drive means rotating said metering and ink supplying rolls,friction clutch means including a driving part connected to said drivemeans and a driven part disengageable and frictionally engageable withsaid driving part, means for engaging and disengaging said driving anddriven parts of the friction clutch means, pawl and ratchet meansinterposed between said die wheel and said driven part so that said diewheel is rotated from said drive means only when said driving and drivenparts are engaged and, in the event that the speed of the surface to bemarked of the conveyed article is greater than the surface speed of saidmarking element caused by said drive means, said pawl and ratchet meanspermit said marking element to be carried along by contact with thesurface to be marked at the speed of the latter and, in the event thatthe speed of the surface to be marked is less than the surface speed ofsaid marking element caused by said drive means, said driving and drivenparts of the friction clutch means can slip relative to each other topermit reduction of the surface speed of the marking element by contactof the latter with the surface to be marked, and positioning meansoperated with said clutch means to hold said die wheel against rotationin a position where. said marking element is spaced both from thesurface of said metering roll and the path of the surface to-be markedof. the conveyed article when said driving and. driven partsaredisengaged, andto free said die are engaged.

.5. Apparatus for applying inked markings to a surface of an' articleconveyed along a path extending past the apparatus and comprising a diewheel having at least one marking element on a portion of the peripherythereof for rolling and marking contact with the surface to be. markedof the conveyed article, a metering roll pos1- tioned for rollingcontact with said marking element as said die wheel and metering rollare rotated, means for supplying ink to the surface of said meteringroll so that the latter, during rolling contact with the markingelement, transfers ink to the surface of the element, drive means forrotating said die wheel, engageable and disengageable friction clutchmeans interposed between said die wheel and said drive means so thatsaid die' wheel is rotated only when said clutch means is engaged, anactuating member movable in one direction to engage said clutch meansand in the opposite direction to disengage said clutch means,electro-magnetically driven means operative; when-energized, to movesaid actuating member in said one direction, spring means urging saidactuating member in said opposite direction, and positioning latch meansconnected to said actuating member for operation by the latter to holdsaid die wheel against rotation in a position where said marking elementis spaced from both said-metering roll and the path of the surface to'bemarked when said clutch means is disengaged and to free said die wheelfor rotation by said drive means when said clutch means is engaged.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5; wherein said electro-ma'gneticallydriven means includes a solenoid having a movable armature, and meansconnecting said armature to said actuating member including a tensionspring in which the tension is increased upon movement of said armatureby energization of the solenoid so that the increased tension of thespring is then effective to move said actuating member in said onedirection, whereby the solenoid is relieved from the inertia load ofsaid actuating member and can act instantaneously to avoid over-heatingof the solenoid.

7. Apparatus for applying inked markings to a surface of an articleconveyed along a path extending past the apparatus and comprising a diewheel having at least one marking element on a portion of the peripherythereof for rolling and marking contact with the surface to be marked ofthe conveyed article, a metering roll positioned for rolling contactwith said marking element as said die wheel and metering roll arerotated, means for supplying ink to the surface of said metering roll sothat the latter, during rolling contact with the marking element,transfers ink to the surface of the element, drive means for rotatingsaid die wheel, engageable and disengageable friction clutch meansinterposed between said die wheel and said drive means so that said diewheel is rotated only when said clutch means is engaged, an actuatingmember movable in one direction to engage said clutch means and in theopposite direction to disengage said clutch means, electro-magneticallydriven means operative, when energized, to move said actuating member insaid one direction, spring means urging said actuating member in saidopposite direction, a latch member connected to said actuating memberfor movement with the latter, and keeper means rotatable with said diewheel and receiving said latch member when said actuating member ismoved in said opposite direction to hold said die wheel against rotationin a position where said marking element is spaced from both the surfaceof said metering roll and the path of the surface to be marked duringdisengagement of said clutch means, and to prevent movement of saidactuating member in said opposite direction and consequent disengagementof the clutch means when said die wheel is angularly spaced from saidposition.

8. Apparatus for applying inked markings to a surface offa'n articleconveyed along a path extending past the apparatus and comprising a diewheel having at least onemarking element ona portion of the peripherythereof for rolling and marking contact with the surface to be marked ofthe conveyed article, a metering roll positioned for rolling contactwith said marking element as said die wheel and metering roll arerotated, means for supplying ink. to .the surface of said metering rollso that the latter, during rolling contact with the marking element,transfers ink to the surface of the element, drive means for rotatingsaid die wheel, engageable and disengageable friction clutch meansinterposed between said die wheel and said drive means so that said diewheel is rotated only, when said clutch means is engaged, an

actuating member movable in one direction to engage said clutch meansand in the opposite direction to disengage said clutch means,electro-magnetioally driven means operative, when energized, to movesaid actuating memher in said one direction, spring means urging saidactuating member in said opposite direction, a flange fixed to said die.wheel for rotation with the latter, said flange having at least onenotch in the periphery thereof, and a latch member connected to saidactuating member and urged against the periphery of said flange by themovement of said actuating member in said opposite direc tion, saidlatch member being receivable in said notch to hold said die wheelagainst rotation in a position where said marking element is spaced fromboth the surface of said metering rollandthe path of the surface to bemarked and being withdrawn from said notch to free the die wheel forrotation when said actuating member is moved in said one direction forengaging the clutch means, whereupon, said latch member rides on theperiphery of said flange and prevents the return of said actuatingmember in said opposite direction until said latch member againregisters with a notch of said flange.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8; further comprising a pawl on saidflange, and a ratchet wheel rotated by said clutch means when the latteris engaged and contacted, at its toothed periphery, by said pawl sothat, in the event that the speed of the surface to be marked is greaterthan the surface speed of the marking element caused by said drive meansat the instant of marking, said marking element can be carried along bycontact with the surface to be marked at the speed of the latter.

10. Apparatus according to claim 5; wherein said clutch means includes adriving part rotated by said drive means, a yoke ring movable axiallytoward and away from said driving part and frictionally driven by thelatter upon movement of said yoke ring toward the driving part, arockable yoke member engaging said yoke ring, a cam follower on saidyoke member, and a cam on said actuating member engaged by said followerto effect rocking of said yoke member in response to movements of saidactuating member by said spring means and said electro-magneticallydriven means.

Apparatus according to claim 10; further comprising a ratchet wheelrotatable with said yoke ring, and a pawl rotatable with said die wheeland engaging the toothed periphery of said ratchet wheel to transmlt therotation of said yoke ring to said die wheel so that, the event that thespeed of the surface to be marked is greater than the surface speed ofthe marking element caused by said drive means at the instant ofmarking, said marking element can be carried along by contact with thesurface to be marked at the speed of the latter.

12. Apparatus for applying inked markings to a surface of an articleconveyed along a path extending past the apparatus and comprising a diewheel having at least one marking element on a portion of the peripherythereof for rolling and marking contact with the surface to be marked ofthe conveyed article, means for supplying ink to the surface of saidmarking element as said die wheel is rotated, drive means for rotatingsaid die wheel, en-

gageable and disengageable f riction clutch means interposedbetween saiddrive mean and s die. wheel so that ,the latter is rotated by said drivearislbrilygyiiheu said clutch means is engaged, positiomin'ieansi'operative to hold said die Wheel against lrotation a lpo's i:tion where said marking element is spacedlioth firom the, surface to bemarked of the certified articleinnd from said e s o supplying, n eq ang: mm ber connected to said clutch means and positioning-means and,yieldably urged in the direction tor dise nfgaging clutch means and foroperating; said positioningfmeafis, a solenoid having a movablearmature, means-ton nect ing said movable armature to saidactuatingimernh r including a spring whichis loaded upontenergiiatiorifof the solenoid so that the load of the spfingr islflleneffectiveto move said actuating member in adirection'tdengage saidclutch means and to render inoperative positioning means, wherebyvsaidsolenoid is reliex iedfloi the; inertia load of said actuatingmember and canactinstantaneously toavoid over-heatingpt solenoid. 1. r v13, Apparatus for applying inked tea surface of an article conveyedalonga patheitzt endin g past the apparatus and comprising a die wheelhaving at east one marking element on a portion of theperipheryftliereof, for rolling and marking contact withi tlie urfaceltobe marked of the conveyed article, meansf or supplying ink to thesurface of said marking element: wheel is rotated, drive means forrotating said die vvhe el, engageable and disengageable frictionclutchmeans interposed between said drive means and said ,die wheels so 16that the latter is rotated by, said drive means only when said clutchmeans is engaged, a flange fixed to said die vgheel ior rotation withthe latter and. having at least one notch intfiefperipherythereofl'alatch member riding on thepe riphery of said flange and beingreceivable in said :notch to hold said die Wheel against rotation in aposition where said marking element is spaced both from said meansforsupplying ink and the surface to be markedf of. the conveyed article,an actuating'membi' movable in onedirection to engage said clutch meansand toivithdraw said latch member from said notch being yieldably urgedin, the opposite direction to disengage References Cited in the file ofthis patent UNITED, STATES PATENTS 2,213,426 Anderson et al. Sept. 3,1940 2,595,279 McKay May 6, 1952 2,632,383 Gottscho et a1. Mar. 24, 19532,645,174 Levin July 14, 1953 said clutch meansand to permit the entryof said latch:

